POWERLINE

+ the magazine of the powerhouse museum autumn 07

discover what’s
in our store

+ 0 powerline autumn 07
contents
issue 85
march april may 07
+ flowering gum hand-coloured photo by albert and margaret morris,
from the
director
powerhousemuseum.com
Front Cover discover
what’s in our store at the
powerhouse discovery
centre: collection stores
at castle hill Photo by jean-
francois lanzarone.
O2 From the director
03 Powerpicks
06 New exhibition: Special FX
07 A chat with Zoe
08 The Powerhouse Discovery Centre
10 Caring for the collection
11 Members news
12 Members calendar
14 Members scene and prizes
15 Obituary: Pat Boland
16 New exhibition: Smart works
18 New exhibition: Engineering Excellence
19 Click on the collection
20 Tom Dixon
22 Sydney Observatory news
23 Corporate partners
24 Exhibitions at a glance
There’s something propitious
about the date 10 March for
the Powerhouse Museum.
Back in 1988, 10 March was the
date on which the Museum
officially reopened in the
old Ultimo Power House. On
10 March 2007 we realise
another major milestone in
the Museum’s life when NSW
Arts Minister, the Hon Bob
Debus, officially opens our new
Powerhouse Discovery Centre:
Collection Stores at Castle Hill.
In some respects the
Powerhouse Discovery Centre
is a journey back to the
future. Traditionally, museum
galleries were full to bursting
point with as many objects
as could be squeezed in. All
that changed in the 1980s and
90s when modern museum
practice turned to locating
objects within thematic
exhibition storylines rather
than taxonomic displays. This
new museology generally
uses far fewer objects in
each exhibition: most major
Where to find us
Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney it features recent conservation
Opening hours 10.00 am – 5.00 pm every day (except Christmas
Day). School holiday opening hours 9.30 am – 5.00 pm
Contact details
Postal address: PO Box K346, Haymarket NSW 1238
Telephone (02) 9217 0111 Every effort has been made to locate owners of copyright for the images
Infoline (02) 9217 0444, Education (02) 9217 0222
The Powerhouse Museum, part of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
also incorporating Sydney Observatory, is a NSW government cultural institution.
museums around the world,
including the Powerhouse,
commonly have only about 4%
of their collection on display at
any given time.
While most of our small
objects such as stamps, coins
and glassware remain in the
vaults at Ultimo, larger objects
are now housed at Castle Hill.
As a result, the opening of the
Discovery Centre will allow
you to have regular access to
about 40% of the Museum’s
total collection by volume, a
ten fold increase on days past.
The Powerhouse Discovery
Centre promises to be a
different type of museum
experience. In many regards
I liken it to going into your
attic or visiting your dad’s
shed. The difference is that
our ‘sheds’ are generally spick
and span, dust free and fully
environmentally controlled.
True to its name, the Discovery
Centre will be much more
than just racks of objects. We
Powerline is produced by the Print Media Department
of the Powerhouse Museum
PO Box K346, Haymarket NSW 1238 projects which are keeping his
Editor: Melanie Cariss With the support of Zinc,
Editorial coordinator: Deborah Renaud particularly mine manager
Design: Triggerdesign Jim Keast, and members of
Photography: Powerhouse Museum unless otherwise stated.
in this publication. Any inquiries should be directed to the Rights and
Permissions Officer, Powerhouse Museum.
ISSN 1030-5750 © Trustees of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences
Trustees
Dr Nicholas G Pappas,
President
Dr Anne Summers AO,
Deputy President
Professor Shirley Alexander
Mr Mark Bouris
Ms Trisha Dixon
Mr Mark Nicholaeff
Ms Margaret Seale
Mr Anthony Sukari
Ms Judith Wheeldon
Senior Management
Dr Kevin Fewster AM, Director
Jennifer Sanders, Deputy Director,
Collections and Outreach
Mark Goggin, Associate Director,
Operations and Services
Kevin Sumption, Associate Director,
Exhibitions, Projects and Planning
Dominic Curtin, Associate Director,
Finance and Systems
plan to run regular special
events and tours that bring
the site alive and also offer
opportunities to study the
various collections in greater
depth than is possible during
a ‘normal’ visit to the Museum.
Moreover, as Castle Hill will
continue to be our primary
storage facility, there’s a good
chance you’ll see the everyday
work that makes world-class
museums such fascinating
places — how we prepare
and pack objects for tour or
exhibition, how we conserve
objects and store them so that
future generations can enjoy
them as much as we do.
So, whether its 10 March or
another day soon, make time
in your family program for a
visit to Castle Hill.
Dr Kevin Fewster AM
Director
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Bush regeneration in Broken Hill and
a concert to save a rare double bass.
green
visionary
Broken Hill is better known
for mining than conservation,
yet the earliest green action
in Australia took place in the
town. In 1936 Albert Morris and
the Barrier Field Naturalists’
Club enlisted the help of a
mining company, the Zinc
Corporation, to defeat the
drifts of sand engulfing the
outskirts of the town.
Born in 1886, Albert Morris
was an assayist with
Zinc Corporation and a
passionate amateur botanist.
With his wife Margaret he
collected, documented and
photographed hundreds of
botanical specimens from
around Broken Hill. Morris
believed that the town’s
growing sand problem could
be overcome by establishing
reserves planted with trees
and vegetation native to the
area, and fenced off from
rabbits and livestock.
the Barrier Field Naturalists’
+
powerpicks
1930s photo showing the success
of the bush barrier scheme.
1930s. courtesy barrier field naturalists' club & broken hill city library.
The story of the green visionary
who created a bush barrier to
save Broken Hill from sand drifts.
Club, an initial area of 22 acres
was sectioned off with rabbit
proof fencing. Thousands of
local species such as saltbush
and redgum were planted
and the scheme was an
immediate success. This soon
led residents to call for further
areas to be fenced, and Keast
persuaded other Broken Hill
mines to share in the costs.
detail of the devereux double bass. Photo by jean-francois
Sadly, Albert Morris died in lanzarone.
1939. He did not live to see that
his bush regeneration methods
The sounds of ‘duelling double instrument-makers in Australia.’
were soon being applied at
basses’ filled the Museum
other mining towns in Australia, A rare performance of the
and that the improvement in duelling during a concert presented by
the Powerhouse Foundation
Devereux double bass, the
living conditions at Broken Hill
was quoted around the world.
double to raise funds to purchase
concert featured the talents of
principal double bassists Kirsty
a rare double bass. Made in
An exhibition tracing the basses about 1856 by John Devereux,
McCahon of the Australian
Brandenburg Orchestra and
inspirational story of the
greening of Broken Hill has
it is believed to be the
oldest surviving bowed string
Kees Boersma of the Sydney
Symphony with Chris Berensen
been developed by the instrument made in Australia.
on keyboards. The concert
Powerhouse. As well as
‘The Museum is trying to was staged by the Powerhouse
Morris’s beautiful photographs
build up a quartet or quintet Foundation in conjunction with
of Devereux’s instruments’, Sydney’s Pinchgut Opera. If
says curator Michael Lea. ‘The you would like to support the
visionary ideas alive.
collection already includes two growth of the collection please
The exhibition opens at the violins and a viola by Devereux, contact the Foundation Office
GeoCentre in Broken Hill later one of the earliest professional on (02) 9217 0564.
this year and then will tour
regional NSW.
+ 0 powerline autumn 07
‘Further, Faster, Higher’ in the Transport Gallery. Photo by Jean-
Francois Lanzarone.
Look up in the sky. It’s a
bird. It’s a plane. It’s … all
further, that and much more. The
family photographed here is
faster, practically flying with Monsieur
higher Maurice Guillaux as he loops
the loop in his famous Blériot
monoplane.
Since it opened late last year
Further, faster, higher, the
sound and light show in the
Museum’s Transport gallery,
has been thrilling visitors with
its combination of authentic
sounds, engrossing stories
and dazzling displays. This is
Arriving with the artefacts
for The Great Wall of China
taming the exhibition was an ancient
wooden crate containing
dragon a mysterious pearl. On 1
December 2006 the pearl
hatched and a baby dragon
began to wreak havoc
throughout the Museum. But
with the help of young visitors
a team of dragonologists
eventually tamed the dragon,
who made its home in
the Museum. Then, just as
mysteriously as it arrived, the
dragon took flight when The
Great Wall exhibition closed.
Wonder where the dragon is
now?
More than 10 000 young
visitors joined the Dragon Club
over summer, which allowed
them to visit the Museum
for free to track the dragon’s
progress. To read all about the
dragon action visit the blog:
www.powerhousemuseum.com/
zoeandcogs/dragon/
a young visitor taming the
dragon. Photo by jean-
francois lanzarone.
celebrating
our new
home
Director Dr Kevin Fewster
and members of the Loke
Estonian singers pictured at
the first time the Powerhouse
the launch of the exhibition
has installed a multimedia
presentation on such a large Our new home/Meie uus Kodu:
Estonian-Australian stories.
scale, and visitors of all ages
are finding it an exciting way The tradition of music is
of making new discoveries
about some of the Museum’s
strong in Estonian culture and
immigrants to Australia brought
favourite vehicles and their love of music with them.
aircraft and the personalities Hear more Estonian-Australian
associated with them. stories when curator Anni
The ten-minute sessions Turnbull gives a tour of the
exhibition, exclusively for
are on every hour and many
members, on Thursday 29
people are returning for repeat
viewings, in case they missed March. Check the calendar for
details.
something the first time.
at the ‘our new home’ opening.
Photo by Jean-Francois
Lanzarone.
+ 0 powerline autumn 07
Powerhouse Discovery Tours in 2007
include ‘Astronomy among the vineyards’
and ‘Japan by rail’. For details go to:
www.renaissancetours.com.au
glorious decoration on a ceiling aT THE SUMMER PALACE OUTSIDE BEIJING;
on the great wall: rob renew, jean poole-williamson, cathy gray, john
hislop, john horscraft and (front) sid gore Photos by cathy gray.
Sam’s
winning
design
sam jacobsen, winner of
the powerhouse museum
designtech award. Photo by
jean-francois lanzarone.
An innovative mechanism for
securing L and P plates to cars
has received the Powerhouse
Museum designTECH Award
for innovation in design. The
winning Plate Lock design was
developed by Sam Jacobsen,
of Alstonville High School, who
was concerned about road
safety for young drivers.
Plate Lock is a mechanism to
secure the L or P plate to the
number plate, ensuring the
driver’s level of experience
is always obvious on the
road. It clearly displays the
plates without using unsightly
brackets and has the added
advantage of a secure key
system.
Sam developed 16 different
designs before reaching the
final design based on the
idea of a bulldog clip. He
considered the manufacture
of his product as well as its
end-of-life reuse. Sam also
developed packaging and
on tour
with the
Powerhouse
I’ve never been one for four-star toilets and survive
tours but this was different: crossing the road. Inspired by
‘China, ancient and modern’, Rob, we discussed the pros
led by Rob Renew, senior and cons of restoring ancient
curator of engineering at the artefacts, the cycles of imperial
Powerhouse and co-curator dynasties and the huge social
of the wonderful Great Wall experiment that is China today.
exhibition. Here was an We were taken deep into the
opportunity to dip a toe into Forbidden City for a behind-
the phenomenon that is China the-scenes glimpse of the
with intelligent guidance and a Palace Museum’s conservation
unique angle. workshops — a treasure trove
of porcelain, bronze and paper.
Six months and a 10-hour flight
We ate copious banquets, tiny
later, I found myself at the
bitter almonds and candied
start of 15 days of exploration
across four cities and the
cumquats; drank lots of tea
and Beijing beer, generally
(big) spaces in between, from
Beijing up to Chengde on
avoided the wine, and seized
on every espresso machine we
the edge of the Mongolian
Plateau; the Great Wall in
came across.
two very different locations; Yes, we walked the Wall,
the Silk Road city of Xian; stepped on its stones and felt
and finally the explosion the resonance of more than
of energy that is Shanghai 1000 years. So vast, so ancient,
— 13 of us, plus Rob as tour changing so fast. I’ll be back
leader and Renaissance Tours’ for more.
unflappable Jackie Firmstone
Cathy Gray
handling the logistics.
Cathy Gray travelled to China on a
Powerhouse Discovery Tour presented in
We learned how to ride the association with Renaissance Tours.
Beijing subway, seek out
instructions for installing and
using the device.
Plate Lock has the potential
to form the basis of a
standardised system of
attaching L and P plates. As
part of the Powerhouse award,
Sam received one week’s work
experience at leading product
design consultancy Design
Resource Australia, and a $500
voucher for the Powerhouse
Shop.
Sam’s design is one of 24
design and technology
projects by Higher School
Certificate students on show
at the Powerhouse in the
13th annual designTECH
exhibition, presented by the
Board of Studies and the NSW
Department of Education.
This year’s exhibition ranges
from furniture and fashion
to medical aids and urban
planning concepts.
designTECH is on show at the Powerhouse
until 4 March 2007, then it begins a tour of
regional NSW.
 + 0 powerline autumn 07

new releases from powerhouse publishing

Remember, members receive 10% discount on all titles from the Powerhouse Shop and mailorder
Smart works:
design and the handmade
GRACE COCHRANE (ed)
Through three engaging essays and
the work of over 40 designers, Smart
works explores what the ‘handmade’
means in relation to contemporary
design and its interface with industry.

192 pages with over 200 illustrations

RRP $39.95, Powerhouse Museum
price $35.95, MEMBERS $32.35

The popular ‘Special FX’ exhibition

returns to the Powerhouse.

secrets behind
the screen
2007 Australian sky guide
NICK LOMB MUSEUM MASCOT ZOE TALKS TO
EDUCATION OFFICER MICHAEL VAN TIEL.
Compact, easy to use and reliable, the
Sky guide contains month-by-month It’s lights, camera, action • Sheer Terror at 50 cm: scale SPECIAL FX FACTS
constellations, tidal charts, Sun and when Special FX: secrets an ice mountain or climb the
Moon rise and set times, facts on all • Blue screen techniques
behind the screen returns wall of a medieval castle.

a chat with zoe

the planets, meteorite movements
plus details of the year’s most exciting to the Powerhouse Museum
astronomical events. for a strictly limited season.
RRP $16.95, MEMBERS $15.25 The hugely popular family
exhibition showcases the
technology that makes the
unreal appear real on screen.
Designed and produced by
Perth’s Scitech, with extensive
input from experts in the field
of movie special effects, the
exhibition is an informative and
hands-on look at the science
and technology used in film
and television.
A highlight of the exhibition
is the array of ‘blue-screen
adventures’. Blue screen
The cutting edge: fashion from Japan
special effects are used
LOUISE MITCHELL (ed)
extensively in the movies to
Reprinted due to demand
produce scenes that aren’t
Explores the work of 19 contemporary
really there, particularly
designers: from pioneers Issey Miyake,
Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçon for scenes that would be
and Yohji Yamamoto, to an exciting dangerous, expensive or
new generation.
impossible to film any other
112 pages, with over 120 illustrations
way. Using blue-screen
RRP $39.95, Powerhouse Museum
price $34.95, MEMBERS $31.45 technology, visitors to Special
FX can star in their very own
mini-movie — and record
their performance on souvenir
Powerhouse books video or DVD to take home.
are available from the Adventures include:
Powerhouse Shop,
• Canyon of Doom: try to cross
bookstores and mailorder.
a wooden bridge precariously
For more information or
suspended over hot, bubbling
to order contact
lava in the mouth of a
Powerhouse Publishing
volcano. Will you make it to
on (02) 9217 0129 or email
the other side?
phpub@phm.gov.au
• Rings of Zorgon: two life
threatening challenges. Enter
the dragon’s lair and use
your skills to avoid meeting
Gomrath, the fire-spitting
dragon. Or surf through
space to escape the fire
throwing monsters of the
Moltolth Spacesport.
• Leap For Your Life: jump from
the roof of a building … will
you survive this death defying
fall?
• The Big Squeeze: the walls
are moving in and there’s no
way out … to survive you
must break the code of
symbols by pressing them in
the correct order.
• One Hit Wonder: choose
your song and star in your
own music video with
awesome background
special effects.
You can also make your own
stop animation, just like real
movie-makers do, using Lego
models. Crank an old projector
handle and watch the path of
a film through the projector.
And learn about electronic
voice effects, while scaring
your friends with a spooky
voice.
Don’t miss your 15 minutes of
fame!
Special FX opens on 21 May 2007.
could easily be red
or green. Blue is used
because there is less
blue in human skin tones
than red or green.
• Even the world’s best
computer animators can
only produce 3–5
seconds of footage — in
a good week!
• Windows that are to be
broken in a scene are
usually made of ‘sugar
glass’.
• Movie snow is usually
faked with plastic, soap
flakes, gypsum or salt
crystals.
• Fake blood can be made
with water, colouring and
gelatin.
• The sound of a punch
can be simulated by
slapping a piece of beef
against a wet cement
floor.
transform marilyn monroe
into frankenstein in the
'morphing' exhibit. photo and
text courtesy scitech, perth.
Hey there! My name is Zoe. I love visiting the Museum.
My friend Michael works here and I asked him what
was happening for kids in the Museum.
Zoe: Hi Michael, I’m seven years old, how old are you?
Michael: Well that’s a secret, but I have been at the
Museum as long as you have been alive!
Zoe: Wow! You must be really old then!
Michael: Yeah but not as old as the director!
Zoe: What’s a director?
Michael: The director is the boss of the Museum. His
name is Kevin — a very popular name for a boss
these days.
Zoe: Ah cool. Does the boss know you don’t do any
work?
Michael: Excuse me?
Zoe: Well, every time I visit the Museum you are
always reading stories, doing slime shows or helping
children make stuff.
Michael: That’s true. I do get a lot of time to play.
That’s one of my jobs: to develop programs for early
learners.
Zoe: Early learners, who are they? Am I one?
Michael: Well early learners are children under eight
and include babies, toddlers, preschoolers and older
children just like you.
Zoe: Hey are you calling me a baby?
Michael: Of course not!
Zoe: I do know some boys at school that act like
babies. But why am I in with the babies?
Michael: Well, early learners (like you) look at the
world by questioning, exploring, investigating,
analysing, innovating and interacting.
Zoe: I guess you and the director are too old for that?
Michael: The director is very keen on making special
places for all children to play, have fun and learn at
the same time!
Zoe: I love to play! I especially liked The Pocket. My
mum liked it too.
Michael: What did your mum like about it?
Zoe: Ummm … not sure really. But in The Pocket mum
and I got to do things together. And, I remember once
she said it gave her a chance to catch her breath
and recharge her batteries … whatever that means!
Michael: So Cogs isn’t the only one who needs
recharging! If you want to use up energy you can run
around and be noisy in the Museum’s new outdoor
playground that opened just in time for the summer
school holidays.
Zoe: Yeah when I was there it was really busy but we
all took turns so it was cool.
Michael: For the next holidays at Easter, The Pocket
is turning into a building site for children. And guess
what? The director is calling it Zoe’s House after you!
Zoe: Really, how cool! What can we do there?
Michael: It’s like in the real world where you wear
hard hats and move bricks and get out of the way of
barrows and trolleys. You’ll even get to drive a crane.
It’s best to work as a team to get the bricks to the
top floor. Some team members can operate a crane
to lift up the different sized foam bricks for the others
to build the house. There is a rubble chute to get the
bricks down quickly.
Zoe: Wow, I bet even the director will want to play in
my house.
Michael: I think you might be right there! He did find
the plans on a trip to Paris.
Zoe: Hey Michael, its been fun chatting to ya but I'm
so excited and want to tell my mum and friends all
about it. Seeya!
Zoe’s House is open from 6 April 2007
Free with Museum admission
Open sessions from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm daily
Group bookings during term time essential on
(02) 9217 0222
Cogs’ Playground
Free with Museum admission
Open 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily
zoe and kids at work in the building site, paris. the building
site was designed by la cite des sciences et de l’industrie,
paris la villette. Photo by helen whitty.

powerhousemuseum.com/publications
+ 0 powerline autumn 07
THE POWERHOUSE DISCOVERY CENTRE OPENS AT CASTLE HILL
OFFERING A NEW AND DIFFERENT MUSEUM EXPERIENCE.
discover what’s in store
The Powerhouse Discovery Centre is the Museum’s
off-site collection storage facility at Castle Hill. From
Saturday 10 March 2007 it will officially open to the
public with a program of open days, group visits,
behind-the-scenes tours and special events.
Like most museums, only a small percentage of the
Powerhouse’s collection is on exhibition at any one
time. About 40% of the collection (or 50 000 objects)
is stored at Castle Hill, but until now this treasure
trove has been off limits to the general public. The
Powerhouse Discovery Centre’s mission is to increase
public access to the collection through programs
for visitors to directly engage with objects and their
intriguing and often very personal histories.
‘It really is like opening up a giant toy box and we
aim to cater to everyone’s individual interests’ says
Christopher Snelling, manager of the Powerhouse
Discovery Centre. ‘It is also very exciting and
rewarding to be providing such extensive public
access to one of Australia’s most interesting museum
collections and creating a new cultural facility for
Sydney’s greater west.’
The Powerhouse Discovery Centre site, at the corner
of Windsor and Showground Roads in Castle Hill,
has been owned by the Museum since the 1940s.
The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (as the
Powerhouse was then known) operated the 2.8
hectare site as a research facility investigating the
commercial potential of Australian indigenous plants.
Stands from the original eucalypt plantation can still
be seen today. Between 2000 and 2004 three large
purpose-built stores were designed and built on the
site to house much of the collection that had been
stored near the Museum in Ultimo.
‘As the site will remain a working storage facility,
visitors will get a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes
workings of the Powerhouse as well as be able to
explore a curated selection of collection objects in
the Display Store’, explains Christopher. ‘Visiting the
Powerhouse Discovery Centre is quite a different
experience to visiting the Powerhouse Museum at
Ultimo.’
The Display Store is the centre of the Castle Hill
experience. As visitors enter the store, a small display
in the foyer explains how the store works and what
you will be able to see and experience. It also tells
the fascinating history behind the Museum’s presence
at Castle Hill. On the ground level, a large object
store features cars, steam engines, planes, trams,
buses and other transport and technology objects.
The upper level houses a self-guided display of
top left: shoes from the joseph box collection can be seen in the themed drawers in the display store. Photo by chris brothers. TOP RIGHT AND CENTRE: INSIDE THE CASTLE HILL WAREHOUSES.
COLLECTION FOCUS VISITS TO THESE STORES ARE AVAILABLE (bookings required). BELOW: agricultural machinery from the howard rotovator collection in the display store. Photos by marinco
kojdanovski and jeAN-FRANCOIS LANZARONE.
selected objects showcasing the strength and depth
of the Powerhouse collection. These are organised
into themed drawer and shelf display units alongside
a selection of freestanding larger objects. The
storage drawers can be opened to reveal all manner
of rare and curious objects, from shoes and hats to
calculators and radios, wool samples and tea cosies.
For the Museum’s curators Castle Hill is a welcome
opportunity to showcase the results of over 125
years of collecting, explains Dr Kimberley Webber,
senior curator of Australian history. ‘For much of the
past year, curators have been searching through the
collection for objects to incorporate into the Display
Store. We have all enjoyed looking for smaller objects
suited to the drawer and shelf units, particularly in
areas that rarely go on public display, such as the
ivory and tortoiseshell collections or the engineering
models and cameras. Many of the objects identified
have had little research or documentation since they
were acquired, so this has provided an opportunity
for us to undertake background work on their history,
use and significance.’
Visitors to the Discovery Centre can do their own
research in the Resource Centre, which will house
computer stations linked to the Museum’s online
collection database. ‘Curators are also bringing
together a range of Museum audiovisuals and
computer-based interactives related to the collection
and ensuring that the Resource Centre has relevant
publications and research files’ says Kimberley. ‘A
visit to the Discovery Centre will be an opportunity
not only to see our rich material heritage but also to
gain a unique insight into its significance through the
range of reference tools on offer.’
‘Since this is a stored collection rather than an
interpreted exhibition, visitors have the opportunity
to make their own connections between objects.
Indeed it is the contrasts that will make this store so
fascinating to visit. For example a Leyland double-
decker bus, once a common sight on Sydney’s
streets, can be seen up against a rare surviving
example of the world’s first commercially successful
gas engine, made by Otto and Langen in Germany
in 1867. We hope that in the rich diversity on show at
Castle Hill, everyone from families to collectors will
find something to spark their interest and curiosity.’
A range of programs and activities are planned for
the Powerhouse Discovery Centre. These include
public open days on the second Saturday of every
month; themed supervised tours into other stores on
site; educational programs, workshops and site tours,
+ 0 powerline autumn 07
school group and special interest group tours; school
holiday programs; community engagement programs;
regional partnership events; and specialist/industry
and professional development programs.
Some of our visitors’ favourite objects can be seen in
the Display Store, including:
• the first steam tram to run in NSW. Made in
Philadelphia, it was brought out to carry visitors to
Sydney’s first international exhibition in 1879
• an internationally significant collection of rare Royal
Doulton ceramics
• a Harry’s Café de Wheels caravan from the 1940s,
when the Sydney icon began trading
• the Standfield and Co patented mouse and rat trap
making machine that produced 100 million Supreme
mousetraps over 50 years
• the Olympic torch used by Cathy Freeman to light
the cauldron at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games
• a selection of shoes from the historic Joseph Box
Shoe Collection.
• a snow helmet, balaclava and goggles from Douglas
Mawson’s Antarctic expedition of 1911–14.
The Powerhouse Discovery Centre
172 Showground Road, Castle Hill
www.powerhousemuseum.com/castlehill
Opening hours
Public open days: second Saturday of the month,
10.00 am – 5.00 pm (bookings not required). Display
store visits, site tours and collection focus visits:
Tuesdays – Fridays, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm (bookings
essential). Please contact the Discovery Centre for
further information on tours, admission prices and
to book your visit. Telephone: (02) 9762 1300, email:
castlehill@phm.gov.au
Getting there
Pedestrian and private vehicle access is via the
Baulkham Hills TAFE Industry Skills Centre entrance
off Green Road. Limited visitor parking is available
for pre-booked group visits only. Please contact the
Discovery Centre to confirm parking availability. For
open day parking arrangements visit the website.
The Discovery Centre is serviced by Westbus: route
615 from Sydney CBD, route 601 from Parramatta
train station and route 715 from Blacktown. Further
details available at www.westbus.com.au or by
phoning 13 1500.
The Powerhouse Discovery Centre: collection stores at Castle Hill opens on
10 March 2007.
Sponsored by Integral Energy

+ 10 powerline autumn 07
The Powerhouse Discovery Centre will provide a window onto the
world of preservation and collection management.
caring for the collection
The Powerhouse Discovery
Centre is the perfect venue to
discover how museum staff
care for public collections. As
a working storage facility it will
allow visitors to experience the
efforts we take to ensure that
every object in the collection is
correctly identified, researched
and stored. At the same time,
we hope to inspire people
to better care for their own
treasured possessions.
The Powerhouse Discovery
Centre builds on years of
work to improve storage of
the collection, most recently
with the PATH (Powerhouse
at the Hills) project. One of
the largest museum storage
projects ever undertaken in
Australia, it involved moving
about 20 000 objects from
rented premises to purpose-
built stores at Castle Hill. For
the first time in its history,
the Museum has been able
to rationalise its approach to
storage — to store objects by
type rather than size.
At Castle Hill photographers,
registrars, curators and
conservators have been
working to improve the
storage and documentation of
thousands of objects, making
them easier for researchers
and the public to access.
As well as improving access
to the collection, the Discovery
Centre will give visitors a
rare glimpse of the role
that conservators play in
caring for the collection. A
window onto the collections
laboratory will allow visitors to
watch conservators at work:
assessing and documenting
the condition of objects, fitting
object stands and preparing
objects for display. Curators
and registrars can also be
seen cataloguing objects in
the collections laboratory.
As part of the Museum’s
commitment to working with
the community to care for the
heritage of New South Wales,
the Powerhouse Discovery
Centre will also provide an
introduction to collection
management so that visitors
can more confidently store and
maintain their own heritage
items. Information panels will
explain major preservation
concepts, while more detailed
labelling on selected objects
will show these concepts in
practice. For those wanting to
delve deeper, the Resource
Room will be equipped with
reference materials and online
resources covering topics such
as the best storage materials
and where to go for specialist
advice.
We hope that the Powerhouse
Discovery Centre will inspire
you to better care for your own
cherished belongings — so
that they can be enjoyed long
into the future.
Pat Townley, Manager,
Preservation and Heritage
Management
+ 11 powerline autumn 07
celebraTING THE PAST AND FUTURE OF
POWERHOUSE MEMBERS AT CASTLE HILL.
conservator analiese treacy
working with hats from the
museum collection. Photo by
chris brothers.
celebrations
at Castle Hill
a young visitor to the new
playground. Photo by jean-
francois lanzarone.
Andrew Grant, senior curator of transport and communication, shows
20-year Foundation Members around the Powerhouse Discovery Centre.
Photo by Marinco Kojdanovski.
Powerhouse Members recently
celebrated its 20th birthday
with a fabulous party at the
Powerhouse Discovery Centre,
giving our 20-year members a
sneak preview of the exciting
new collection stores at Castle
Hill. But if you’ve only become
a member recently, don’t feel
that you’ve missed out — all
members are invited to join
in the Discovery Centre’s
official opening celebrations
on 10 and 11 March. A major
program of free entertainment
and curator talks will run
throughout the weekend.
+
from the
members
manager
+
members
+ news and photos
+ prizes to be won
Powerhouse members receive
free entry to the Display Store
+ exclusive events
at the Discovery Centre as
well as discounted prices on
+ family activities
the full range of public access + special offers
programs that are on offer all
year round. Of course we are
also continuing our exclusive
curator-led tours taking you
behind the scenes in the
stores at both our Castle Hill
and Ultimo sites.
Members e-newsletter
Make sure you book early
If you would like to receive the regular Members
because these tours have
e-newsletter with updates on all members
proven enormously popular
events please call (02) 9217 0600 or email
as a unique way of expanding
members@phm.gov.au with your membership
your museum experience.
number and e-newsletter in the subject line.
In 2007 the Powerhouse has Following our very successful On behalf of the Powerhouse
a renewed focus on children family Christmas party, we’ll be Members team, I would like
and families, which is great presenting ‘kids craft’ events to wish you and your family a
news for all of our members covering everything from happy and safe Easter break,
with kids! I’m sure that you Easter bunnies to gruesome and we look forward to seeing
have already noticed the
amazing new playground in
movie make-up. you in the Members Lounge
soon!
Of course, it’s not all for the
the courtyard. And coming
kids! Our curator-led tours of Daniel Gee,
soon, just in time for the April
the basement stores continue Acting Members Manager
school holidays, is Zoe’s House
to delight, and in autumn
where children aged 3–6 get
we’ll be featuring ceramics,
together to build a house.
antiquities and historic quilts
I hope that many of you from the collection. Check the
have a chance to visit the members calendar for all the
Powerhouse during the school details.
holidays as there will be
lots of opportunities for kids
to unleash their creativity.
+ 12 powerline autumn 07
autumn
events calendar
DATE / LOCATION
Thursday 8 March
6.00–8.00 pm, level 2 Cafe,
enter via Macarthur Street
Sat 10 & Sun 11 March
10.00 am – 4.00 pm
Sydney Observatory
Thursday 15 March
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Sunday 18 March
9.00 am – 6.00 pm
Sydney Observatory
Thursday 22 March
6.00–8.30 pm, level 2 Cafe,
enter via Macarthur Street
Sunday 25 March
2.00–3.00 pm
Wednesday 28 March
6.00 for 6.30 pm
Thursday 29 March
11.00 am – 12.00 noon
Saturday 31 March
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Saturday 31 March
7.00–9.30 pm
Sydney Observatory
Thursday 5 April
10.30 am for 11.00 am
Thursday 12 April
10.30 am – 12.00 noon
Thursday 12 April
6.00–8.00 pm, level 2 Cafe,
enter via Macarthur Street
Wednesday 18 April
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
Wednesday 18 April
12.30–1.30 pm
Fri 20 & Sat 21 April
Fri: 6.00–8.00 pm
Sat: 8.00 am – 4.00 pm
Friday 20 April
10.30 am – 2.00 pm
Sydney Observatory
+ 13 powerline autumn 07
how to book for members events
Unless otherwise stated, bookings and pre-payment are Five full working days are required for a refund for Powerhouse
essential for all events. You can book by phone on (02) 9217 events. Unfortunately we can’t refund or transfer bookings for
0600 for events at the Powerhouse Museum or (02) 9217 0485 for SoundHouse VectorLab workshops.
events at Sydney Observatory. All events are held at the Powerhouse Museum unless otherwise
green indicates members events
stated. All dates, times and venues are correct at time of
publication.
EVENT / COST DESCRIPTION
Free Radicals Experts talk about issues facing Australia and the world. This Daily 6–23 April Cogs’ marvellous In our new family show Cogs, our problem-solving robot, builds
series 2 month the panel debates policy in the lead-up to the election. 11.00 am, 1.00 pm & 3.00 pm machine a marvellous machine and enlists the help of some savvy
Free entry. No bookings required.
Free with Museum entry performers to find out if machines are good or bad for people.
Understanding Relativity This weekend course looks at fundamental concepts in modern Nightly 6–23 April Children’s Saturn viewing View Saturn’s rings through the telescope (weather permitting)
Cost: $110 members, $99 school teachers physics, using computer graphics to show how time and space 6.15 pm nights and a 3-D Theatre presentation. A mini-planetarium program is
affect the physical universe. Sydney Observatory
Bookings essential, night prices apply offered in wet or clouded conditions.
Ceramics: curator-led Visit the Museum basement with curator Eva Czernis Ryl and Sunday 22 April Insight on Sunday: Bean’s In the lead-up to Anzac Day, Museum director Dr Kevin Fewster
tour discover significant pieces from the ceramics collection. 2.00–3.00 pm Gallipoli talks about his new book, Bean’s Gallipoli, the frontline diary and
Cost: $15, members only Afterwards, join us for light refreshments in the Members Lounge. Free with Museum entry. Members can call photos of Australia’s official war correspondent C E W Bean.
(02) 9217 0600 to reserve their seat.
Our Bridge, Our Be part of the bridge’s birthday at the Observatory, which will Sat 21 & Sun 22 April Steamfest The Museum’s Loco 3830 is the star attraction at the
Observatory have great views of the celebrations plus food and drink stalls Maitland Tickets and information tel (02) 4931 2877 annual Hunter Valley Steamfest. Includes train excursions,
For details visit www.steamfest.com.au
Free entry and music. Special viewing area for members. demonstrations on caring for engines, plus fun activities for kids.
d factory Hear from three designer-makers who are successfully Thursday 26 April d factory Designers featured in Smart works discuss the power of the
Free entry integrating new technologies with the old to create unique and 6.00–8.30 pm, level 2 Cafe, Free entry handmade. With DJ and bar.
thoughtful work. With DJ and bar. enter via Macarthur Street
Insight on Sunday: Tales In the lead-up to Earth Hour, Sydney Observatory’s Dr Nick Lomb Sunday 6 May Members discount Enjoy a special 20% discount at our shop just in time for
from the dark side talks about fighting light pollution. 10.00 – 5.00 pm shopping day Mother’s Day. Find that special gift from our wide selection of
Free with Museum entry Free entry jewellery, books and many other beautiful items.
Design Quarter talk: Cathy Braid and Kirsten Ainsworth tell the story of their fashion Thursday 10 May Free Radicals This month’s panel debates transport futures and zero emission Cogs, our problem-solving
Caravana label Caravana, (featured in the Smart works exhibition) and their 6.00–8.00 pm, level 2 Cafe, series 2 travel. robot, with a young friend.
Photo by Jean-Francois
Cost $15, bookings essential 9217 0222, inspiring work with women in Pakistan. enter via Macarthur Street Free entry. No bookings required. Lanzarone; Loco 3830 is the
edserv@phm.gov.au or moshtix.com.au star attraction at SteamFest.
Photo by Sotha Bourn.
‘Our new home’ curator- Join curator Anni Turnbull for a walk-through of this exhibition, Thursday 10 May Antiquities: curator-led Join curator Paul Donnelly in the Museum basement for a
led tour which reveals what settlement in Australia has meant to 11.00 am – 12.30 pm tour fascinating look at antiquities from the collection. Afterwards, join
Cost: $8, members only generations of Estonian Australians. Cost: $15, members only us for light refreshments in the Members Lounge.
Kids craft: Easter bunnies Take your kids on an Easter treasure hunt through the Museum, Sunday 13 May Mummy’s Day Celebrate Mother’s Day with a twist at our ‘mummy’s day’
Cost: $5 members, $10 guests, and then join us to make an Easter craft project to keep. 10.00 am – 12.00 pm Cost: $15 members, $40 guests (includes workshop. We will design a ‘coffin’ and then mummify zucchinis.
accompanying adults free one-year student membership to
Powerhouse Museum). For ages 10+ using techniques similar to those used in Ancient Egypt.
Earth Hour: Lights off As lights are turned off across Sydney, the Observatory is Tuesday 29 May Andy Griffiths Join author Andy Griffiths for a special night of silliness and star-
Sydney expecting a gloriously dark night for star-gazing (weather 6.00–8.00 pm Cost: $18 child, accompanying adults, $15 gazing for kids. Part of Sydney Writers’ Festival.
Powerhouse and SWF members
Bookings essential, night prices apply permitting).
Castle Hill curator-led Dr Kimberley Webber, senior curator of Australian history, guides Thursday 31 May d factory Are you design literate? Join in the discussion as our panel
tour you through sewing machines and other domestic treasures at 6.00–8.30 pm, level 2 Cafe, Free entry interrogates the language of design. With DJ and bar.
Cost: $25 members only the Powerhouse Discovery Centre. Includes light refreshments. enter via Macarthur Street
Movie makeup & special Get ready for the up-coming exhibition Special FX by learning
effects
Cost: $8 members, $16 guests,
accompanying adults free
the secrets of professional movie makeup, and see how a
gruesome prosthetic is applied. The Powerhouse
Free Radicals
series 2
This month the panel looks beyond Al Gore and asks, how are
we making a new truth?
Discovery Centre
Free entry. No bookings required.
FREE opening weekend
Historic Australian and Attention quilt lovers! Dr Kimberley Webber invites you into the Featured in the ceramics
tour: tureen and stand in the
English quilts basement store to see historic quilts from Australia and England, shape of a boar's head, made Sat 10 & Sun 11 March
Cost: $15, members only followed by light refreshments in the Members Lounge. by Mintons, England, in the
late 19th century; Cathy Braid 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
and Kirsten Ainsworth from
Inside stories: Nuclear What are the facts and fictions, risks and benefits, secrets and Caravana. Photo by Saffrine
Nydegger. standfield and co
172 Showground Road, Castle Hill
(corner of Showground and Windsor Roads)
Free with Museum entry lies of the hottest technology in the universe? Find out in this mouse-trap making machine in
illustrated talk by senior curator Dr Jesse Shore. the display store at castle hill.
Photo by marinco kojdanovski. Celebrate the opening of the newest cultural facility in
Sydney’s greater west — a totally different Powerhouse
Young blood: designers Young blood is back with a special focus on designer-
experience. A major program of free entertainment and
market makers and the handmade. For more information go to www.
curator talks will run throughout the weekend. For details
Free entry via Macarthur Street powerhousemusem.com/youngblood
go to www.powerhousemuseum.com/castlehill
Saturn Party Day Super Saturn fun and exploration, especially for under 8s.
Cost: $12 child, $10 members child,
planes, trams and buses in the display store. photo by marinco
accompanying adults and Powerhouse kojdanovski.
member adults are free, all other adults $7
+ 14 powerline autumn 07
members
scene
To celebrate 20 years of
Powerhouse Members, long-
term members were invited
to a special celebration
and sneak preview of the
Powerhouse Discovery Centre
at Castle Hill.
Photos by Marinco Kojdanovski.
w on 16 December 2006, just
members
giveaway
Powerhouse Members are
offering our members the
chance to win their own
mini-Great Wall — a special
memento of The Great Wall of
China: dynasties, dragons and
warriors exhibition.
There are two Puzz3D versions
of the Great Wall of China to
be won. A must for any Great
Wall enthusiast, puzzle fan or
modelmaker, these exciting
puzzles aren’t your normal flat
vista — instead you construct
a 3-D model of one of the
wonders of the world!
+ 15 powerline autumn 07
getting up close to sydney’s
transport heritage in the
display store; Dr Ian Ritchie
with son Nick.
For almost half a century
Pat Boland guided the growth of
the Museum’s collection of coins,
Michael Ritchie checks out notes and medals.
part of the Museum’s Sydney
Olympic collection; Senior
curator Dr Kimberley Webber
(left) with members Jane and
Phillipa Baird.
a rich life
planes, trams and cars in
Anita Semler looks inside the large object store. the
the object drawers in the dramatic entrance foyer.
Display Store; Lawrence West
and Barbara Hope in the
large object Store.
The Museum’s numismatic
collection is arguably one of
its most diverse, covering as
it does coins, medals and
banknotes from all corners
of the globe and 2600 years
Members were given of history. The richness of
special access to the
collections laboratory,
the collection owes much to
where conservators prepare the diligence and foresight
objects for display.
of the brilliant numismatist
and historian Major H P (Pat)
Boland OAM ED who died
days after his 85th birthday.
In 45 years of service to the
For your chance to win, Museum, Pat guided the
growth of the numismatic
simply phone the Powerhouse
Members hotline (02) 9217 collection from 15 000 items to
0600 after 10.00 am on
Monday 26 March.
over 30 000. He made many
friends and gained countless
admirers — for there was
much to admire about Pat.
Born in 1921, Pat’s passion for
the past was recognised as
early as the age of ten, when
the local vicar gave Pat open
access to his library. There
he worked his way through
ancient authors, such as
Plutarch and Josephus, to
the relatively recent works of
Edward Gibbon.
The Great Wall of China. Photo
by Jean-Francois Lanzarone. It was through this love of
history that Pat discovered
coins. For Pat, coins and
medals were a tangible
link to the past, particularly
to the people of the past:
the flattened images of a
well-used coin spoke of
hands, pockets and purses.
Consequently, worn examples
often spurned by collectors
were those that Pat considered
had the most stories to tell.
When pushed, Pat would
confess his own preferences
lay in the very ancient past
but as a one-time teacher
of Australian history he
was also passionate about
Australia’s past. He acquired
such gems as explorer Sir
Thomas Mitchell’s general
service medal and began the
Museum’s collection of convict
love tokens, including that of
Thomas Tilley, the only known
First Fleet example.
Pat initially provided advice
regarding the numismatic
collection in a voluntary
capacity, whilst serving
with the Australian Army.
Following his retirement from
military service he joined
the staff of the Museum in
1961. His primary role was
to reconcile the collections
brought to the Powerhouse
in the consolidation of NSW
collections at that time. This
period was also the lead up
to decimalisation and public
enquires soared before and
after 1966. It was in this public
capacity that Pat was able to
inspire and mentor visitors who
now count as the dealers and
prominent collectors of today.
After his retirement in the
late 1980s Pat was employed
as numismatic consultant,
heading a team to identify
problem pieces and ensure
accurate data was entered
into the then new database.
He also acquired the vast
numbers of numismatic
objects donated by W D Bush,
an American collector who
had been charmed by Pat
while briefly in Australia in
the early 1980s. Bush was so
impressed with Pat and the
collection that he began a
stream of donations to the
Museum, ultimately valued at
more than half a million dollars.
Such results were second-
nature to Pat. In the 1970s he
had wined and dined Reserve
Bank executives into giving the
Museum an almost complete
set of specimen notes, an
incredibly rare selection that
would now be well out of reach
of the Museum’s budget.
Pat’s employment as
consultant numismatist
continued until his resignation
in November 2006. He
was the first staff member
to receive the Life Fellow
award, in recognition of his
enhancement of the Museum’s
international standing in the
field of numismatics.
The collection will endure as
Pat’s legacy, but his colleagues
will remember his warmth and
generosity. A true gentleman,
Pat will be sorely missed. He
is survived by Jean, his wife
of 53 years, their four children
and ten grandchildren. In pat boland began the museum’s
collection of convict love
his honour, the high-security tokens. this is the only known
coin room that houses the first fleet example. Thomas
Tilley was sentenced to seven
collection will now be known years transportation for theft
with force, although on the
as the H P (Pat) Boland token he left for a loved one
Numismatic Room. he describes his crime as fraud
or ‘signing a note’. Photo by Jane
Paul Donnelly, Curator, Townsend; Pat Boland. Photo by
Jean-Francois Lanzarone.
Decorative Arts and Design
+ 16 powerline autumn 07
A new exhibition explores the WORK OF 41 Australian
and New Zealand craftspeople. Here we profile five of
these inspirational designers and makers.
compiled by_Catherine Reade, Assistant Curator, Decorative Arts and Design
smart works
Akira Isogawa
Akira Isogawa works
primarily in high-end fashion,
designing women’s and men’s
wear, ranging from one-off
pieces to ready-to-wear
and diffusion collections.
Despite the demands of
producing up to three major
collections annually and
showing in Sydney and Paris,
he frequently collaborates
on exhibitions and projects
that feed into his designs for
fashion.
One of his most creatively
fulfilling collaborations has
been designing costumes for
Sydney Dance Company (SDC)
productions — a relationship
initiated in 1998 by artistic
director and choreographer
Graeme Murphy.
In 2005 Isogawa designed and
produced about 100 costumes
for Grand, a production
conceived by Murphy as a
tribute to his mother Betty and
her passion for the piano.
For eight weeks Isogawa
devoted part of his long days
to working with Murphy, SDC’s
18 dancers and wardrobe
supervisor Fiona Holley.
Music was often the starting
point for Isogawa’s designs;
listening to a piece could
evoke a textile design and the
musical notation itself became
an important decorative
element.
Isogawa has acknowledged
the important influence
working with SDC has had on
his design for fashion. ‘I now
better understand movement
in textiles and in particular
drape which moves as you
move’, he says.
Glynis Jones
Assistant Curator, Decorative
Arts and Design
Caravana
Sometimes referred to as
‘a label with a conscience’,
Caravana was launched
by Cathy Braid and Kirsten
Ainsworth in 2004. A hallmark
of the label is that Caravana’s
garments derive their unique
handcrafted character from the
traditional skills of Pakistani
women artisans.
Braid and Ainsworth’s shared
vision in establishing the
Caravana label was to
empower these talented
women through employment.
Recognising that this could
not be done from a distance,
they took up residence in the
remote Chitral valley where,
from a small start in 2003, they
this page: Akira Isogawa,
costumes for Sydney
Dance Company in Graeme
Murphy’s Grand. Photo by
Jeff Busby; Caravana, ‘Bold
flower’ skirt and quilted
crop jacket, autumn/winter
2006. Photo by Alex Zotos;
opposite: Rod Bamford, ‘Sonic
loop’ fruitbowl, glazed
porcelain with decal, 2006.
Photo by Helene Rosanove;
Oliver Smith, ‘Arc’ cheese
knives and ‘Dorsal’ serving
blades, Generation II series,
2006. Photo by Ben Manson,
3blindmice; Jill Kinnear,
‘Diaspora Tartan 3’, silk satin,
2005. Photo by Don Hildred
Photographics.
have established a network
of centres employing skilled
women. Braid and Ainsworth
depend strongly on the
local environment for design
inspiration and retain control
over every creative decision.
The pair launched the first
Australian Caravana collection
as part of Sydney Fashion
Week New Generation in May
2004. Last year Caravana
presented an Australian
collection in Sydney and
Melbourne, and a European
collection in London.
Christina Sumner
Senior Curator, Decorative
Arts and Design
+ 17 powerline autumn 07
Oliver Smith
Oliver Smith comes from many
generations of jewellers and
metalsmiths, stretching back
to makers of armour. A skilled
silversmith, specialising in hot-
forging, he has developed a
particular interest in putting his
one-off items of silver cutlery
into production in stainless
steel and other metals and
materials.
In 2003 Smith received funding
from artsACT to help put
his handmade prototypes
into production. ‘Seeking
to combine the beauty and
warmth of the handmade with
the strengths of industrial
production methods’, he
approached John Kell of
Hycast Metals in Smithfield,
western Sydney, who took a
particular interest in Smith’s
project. Using a ceramic
shell casting process, the
partnership produced Smith’s
Rod Bamford
Potter Rod Bamford aims to
bring together all his interests
a range of tableware for their
restaurant at the time, Bel
Following this project, Bamford
developed his own designs
in art, design and industry to
make tableware for what he
mondo, as well as for potential
wider retail sales.
for production and received
a grant from the Visual Arts
sees as the particular cross- Board of the Australia Council
cultural culinary evolution
Bamford made prototypes
in 2005 to develop ‘a limited
for the tableware at his
characteristic of contemporary edition range of hip, high-
studio, Cone 9 design, and
Australian food. In 1998 quality feature vase and bowl
his oil-dipping dish proved
restaurateurs Stefano Manfredi forms’ for the high end of the
an immediate success. The
and Julie Manfredi-Hughes market. The Sonic Loop and
Manfredis and Bamford used
approached Bamford to Serpentine bowls are the first
the restaurant as a laboratory,
develop a suite of coffee cups series in this project.
testing forms to suit the
to accompany the Espresso
Manfredi philosophy of food, Grace Cochrane
di Manfredi brand coffee.
which focused around the idea
They also wanted to develop
of a shared table and shared
food.
Generation I series of serving
utensils in stainless steel.
Further support through
an Australia Council Maker
to Manufacturer to Market
(MMM) grant in 2005 enabled
him to develop these ideas
into the Generation II series,
incorporating what he had
learned from industry.
Throughout the project he
outsourced more parts of the
process to related industries,
such as ‘rumbling’ the rough
cast forms with Peakhurst firm
Mass Finish, whose industrial
abrasive finishing techniques
include a vibrating tub with
river stones from the Lithgow
area. Smith then completes the
process by hand-finishing and
polishing.
Grace Cochrane
Smart works curator
Jill Kinnear
For Jill Kinnear, textile design of mass migration. Kinnear Smart works: design and the handmade
opens on 30 March 2007.
is an instinctive way of conceptualised a symbolic
The exhibition is accompanied by a
interpreting the world. ‘I read link between historic Scottish beautifully illustrated 192-page publication
featuring three engaging essays and the
my environment as a textile textiles and the airport, which work of over 40 designers. Available April
designer — I see textiles, she describes as ‘the present- 2007 RRP $39.95
patterns and colours’ she day place of embarkation and A symposium of Australian and
international speakers will be held from 30
says. Kinnear emigrated disembarkation, a no-man’s March to 1 April 2007. To book, please call
from Scotland to Australia in land of arrival and departure’. (02) 9437 9333 or visit the website at www.
powerhousemuseum.com/smartworks
1989, and she draws on her
Kinnear began by producing This project has been assisted by the
experiences in a recent series Australian Government through the Australia
metal structures of paisley Council, its arts funding and advisory body.
of work, ‘Diaspora: Mapping
and tartan patterns, which Supporter: Creative New Zealand.
migration in textiles’ (2005).
she passed through the X-ray
Media partner: Sydney Morning Herald
‘Diaspora’ interprets Scottish baggage machine at Brisbane
textiles as expressions of airport. The resulting digital
place, history and identity. images were manipulated
Consisting of printed silk extensively to create repeat
shawls, garments and lengths patterns, then printed onto silk
of tartan, the series recalls shantung.
the global spread of Scottish
Catherine Reade
textiles over four centuries
+ 18 powerline autumn 07
A new exhibition highlights the significant role
engineers play in shaping the world around us.
engineering excellence
Australia’s largest urban road
project, the Westlink M7 is a
major engineering feat that is
changing the way people travel
around western Sydney. The
new motorway, which includes
a 40-kilometre shared path for
cyclists and pedestrians, has
been recognised in this year’s
Engineering Excellence Awards
with the prestigious Bradfield
trophy honoring the ‘best of
the best’.
With a staggering 144 bridges
along the length of the M7, the
team of engineers working on
the motorway set themselves
the challenge of eliminating
the bump that motorists
usually experience at the
approach to bridges. Their
innovative solution is known
as ‘seamless pavement’ and
has attracted international
attention — as well as
providing motorists with a
smoother ride.
The Westlink M7 is one of six
outstanding projects selected
from the awards to feature in
the Engineering Excellence
2006 exhibition, presented in
partnership with the Sydney
Division of Engineers Australia.
This year’s exhibition is
perhaps the most diverse yet,
showcasing engineering feats
from Sydney’s western suburbs
to the Persian Gulf.
Two projects featured in the
exhibition show how engineers
are tackling the challenge of
water scarcity. At North Head
in Sydney a new recycled
water plant is producing about
two million litres of treated
water for use in sewage
treatment operations. And
in south-western NSW the
shallow Barren Box swamp,
the main drainage site for the
fertile Murrumbidgee Irrigation
Area, has been deepened and
divided into cells to cut the
+ 19 powerline autumn 07
A new addition to the website puts the Museum’s
collection at your fingertips.
click on the collection
The Museum’s Web Services
team has created an online
collection database that is
a world-first for museums.
Launched six months ago, the
database features over 60 000
objects and is designed to
encourage browsing and the
thrill of serendipity or chancing
upon things by surprise.
Since the online collection
database was launched, over
five million object records
have been viewed by the
public. In the first ten weeks
of operation, over 95% of
the available collection had
been viewed at least once.
Every day 30 000 searches
are performed and Museum
staff have been surprised by
some of the trends to have
emerged. The most popular
three objects are not even on
display!
The Powerhouse Museum
www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database
amount of water being lost to
evaporation.
The exhibition also includes
the dramatic overhaul of
Doha’s Khalifa Stadium, the
main venue for the recent
Asian Games, which was
spearheaded by a team of
engineers from the Sydney
office of international firm
Arup; the stunning Sea Cliff
Bridge north of Wollongong;
and Sydney inventor Tony
Pike’s elegant solution to the
problem of wobbly cafe tables.
Engineering Excellence 2006 is now on
display in the Success and innovation
exhibition.
One of the specially designed
bridges along the 40-kilometre
shared path for cyclists
and pedestrians, part of the
Westlink M7 project. Photo by
and reproduced courtesy Brett
Boardman.
first put a large proportion of
its collection online in 2001,
through Australian Museums
On-Line. But unless you were
a museum professional or
researcher, it’s unlikely that
you would have come across
it. Recent changes in web
technology, known as ‘Web 2.0’,
inspired the Museum’s Web
Services team to develop a
new interface aimed squarely
at the general public.
Unlike traditional collection
searches, the Powerhouse’s
online search suggests similar
objects as well as related
search terms that may be
more fruitful. Another popular
feature is object ‘tagging’.
Inspired by photo websites
such as Flickr, users can
‘tag’ objects with descriptive
keywords to help other visitors
find them more easily. This
allows the database to bridge
the semantic gap between
the classification terms used
by our curators and that of
our visitors. An example of
this in practice is the formal
description of ‘locomotive’ and
the common use of ‘train’.
All these features combine
to make it extremely easy to
find what you are looking for,
but also to chance upon the
unexpected, in what is one of
the largest and most diverse
online museum collections in
the world.
Sebastian Chan, Manager,
Web Services
Visitors to the Powerhouse Discovery
Centre: Collection Stores at Castle Hill can
access the online collection database from
computer terminals in the Resource Room.
TOP 10
OBJECTS IN 2006
1. Evening dress designed by
Lisa Ho and worn by Delta
Goodrem to the ARIA Music
Awards in 2003.
2. ‘Chocolate box’ plastic
evening dress designed by
Jenny Bannister for Chai,
Melbourne, made in 1979–81.
3. Silver lame evening dress
designed by Jenny Bannister,
Melbourne, made in 1994.
4. Locomotive No 3830,
built at the Eveleigh Railway
Workshops, Sydney, 1949.
5. Catalina flying boat,
built by Boeing Aircraft of
Canada in 1944, and flown
on a pioneering flight from
Australia to Chile by P G
Taylor in 1951.
6. ‘Super elevated gillies’
platform shoes by Vivienne
Westwood, London, 1993–94.
7. ‘Dick Smith Australian
Explorer’ Bell 206B Jetranger
III helicopter, built in 1982
and flown by Smith on his
solo circumnavigation of the
world.
8. Collection of Edwardian
boys clothing, made in
Australia in 1920–25.
9. Locomotive No 1243, built
in Sydney in 1882.
10. Berlei ‘Nu-U’ brasserie,
made in Australia in 1957.
‘super elevated gillies’ by
vivienne westwood, london,
1993–94. Photo by sue stafford.
+ 20 powerline autumn 07
LONDON-BASED DESIGN MAVERICK TOM DIXON RECENTLY
VISITED THE POWERHOUSE. HERE HE TALKS TO POWERLINE
ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF DESIGN.
story by_Anne Watson_Curator, Architecture and Design
‘not a proper job’:
designer Tom Dixon
I think I get bored with myself
before other people do — I am
constantly reinventing myself,
but not consciously — trying
to do things differently. I still
see myself very much at
the beginning of my career
— fresh and up and coming!
With a global design
reputation and some
impressive awards to his
name, Tom Dixon, 47, could
hardly be described as ‘up
and coming’. That he sees
himself as such is a key
to the Tom Dixon persona
— art school drop-out, rock
musician, biker, welder,
designer, businessman
— a constant morphing in to
something else that is more
about being challenged by the
‘becoming’ than the accolades
of ‘achieving’.
In Sydney late last year to
present the fourth Bombay
Sapphire Design Discovery
Award and a lecture at the
Powerhouse, London-based
Dixon was an articulate, if
travel-weary, interviewee, eager
to differentiate his career from
that of many other designers:
Most designers follow a
specific path that is laid out by
the industry. You are either a
craftsperson or you go to work
for big companies like Moroso,
Cappellini or Vitra and you
become a ‘service industry’. I
decided consciously not to do
that in various stages.
Like some of the most
successful contemporary
designers (Australian Marc
Newson is a good example)
Dixon came to design through
the direct experience of
working with materials; in his
case salvaged industrial scrap.
Like many designers, too,
Dixon’s break came when one
of his early designs was put
into production by a big-name
manufacturer — the S-chair by
Cappellini.
But by the mid 1990s Dixon’s
career started to diverge
significantly from that of most
of his colleagues. In 1994 he
established Eurolounge to
manufacture his Jack light
using relatively new rotation-
moulding technology, and in
1998 he took on the job of
head designer for Terence
Conran’s upmarket homewares
chain Habitat. For a designer
with a bit of a reputation as
a maverick the move to the
business world ‘shocked his
followers’. For Dixon, however,
it was yet another opportunity
to reinvent himself:
Frankly I think there’s more
space to be challenging
in business. All the best
businesses are creative.
Richard Branson or Terence
Conran — they’re creative
— that’s how they get ahead.
Today, Dixon’s corporate
connections stretch from
his role as creative director
of Habitat, to director of his
own company TOM DIXON
and the esteemed furniture
manufacturing company Artek.
He sees his involvement in
Artek, which was established
in the 1930s to produce the
designs of Finnish modernist
Alvar Aalto, as an important
base to address issues of
sustainability:
Through Artek I’ve got the
perfect place for doing things
that are more sustainable. Just
the fact that Artek products
are more durable — still
fashionable 70 years later — is
a good foundation to start
applying some of the things
every company has got to be
aware of.
We’re all on this treadmill —
we’re all victims or perpetrators
of this fashionability. That’s
where government has to kick
+ 21 powerline autumn 07
opposite: Tom Dixon. Photo by Hainsley Brown; The stackable polyethylene Jack light designed by Dixon in 1997 has
been one of his most successful products. Photo by pdccreative; this page: Dixon’s Great Chair Grab at Trafalgar
Square, a feature event of the London Design Festival in September 2006, encouraged londoners to take one of
his expanded polystyrene chairs home. Photo courtesy Tom Dixon.
in with legislation to make the
baseline equal: tax aircraft
fuel, legislate on tropical
hardwoods, for example.
And therein lies the dilemma
confronting designers today:
reconciling the pressures
to constantly innovate and
maintain high market visibility
with the inevitable constraints
imposed by an ecologically
responsible approach to
design. It may not be too
long before Dixon’s plastics-
consuming community events,
like the recent Trafalgar
Square ‘Great chair grab’, are a
phenomenon of the past.
Dixon’s remit to broaden
design audiences is one
shared by Bombay Sapphire,
the company whose global
brand has, since the 1990s,
very profitably matched its
product, gin, with a design-
savvy market. In Australia the
company has sponsored the
Bombay Sapphire Design
Discovery Award for four
years with generous cash and
travel prizes. The competition
judging assesses both
submitted entries and the
designer’s body of work.
To date the careers of Jon
Goulder, Adam Goodrum,
Lucas Chirnside and Charles
Wilson have undoubtedly been
boosted by winning the award,
although Tom Dixon disputes
the argument that Australian
designers are disadvantaged
by geographic isolation and a
small population:
It’s an honour to be an
Australian. It’s the most
fantastic place. Twenty million
isn’t that small. The map of
the world is changing rapidly
around us. We are living in
very exciting and terrifying
times. Technologies exist that
make it better to make things
close to home again — they’re
emerging now. Australia is
closer to China than the
Italians. There’s the whole of
the Pacific rim — it’s not such
an unfortunate place to be any
more.
So what does this constantly
travelling chameleon do to
relax? Dixon stifles a jetlagged
yawn, ‘I think it’s very relaxing
not having a proper job!’
2006 was a successful year for the Powerhouse
Foundation. Once again we exceeded our
target of $75 000 for the Annual Appeal in
September, raising over $118 000 in donations
and pledges. Many of our donors have made
an ongoing commitment to contribute to the
Foundation endowment fund, allowing us to get
to know our supporters over time and ensure
the growth of the collection.
Recent Foundation events have included
‘Duelling Double Basses’, a concert to raise
money for the purchase of a double bass
made in 1856 by John Devereux, a Champagne
supper at Sydney Observatory, and a
President’s Circle Luncheon with special guest
speaker Andrew Denton.
I am pleased to have been able to meet
many of our valued donors since I joined
the Powerhouse in October 2006, and I look
forward to another exciting year.
For further information on the Foundation or
how to donate, go to www.powerhousemuseum.
com/foundation or contact the Foundation
Office on 9217 0564.
Yarmila Alfonzetti
Foundation Executive
+61 2 9217 0564
yarmilaa@phm.gov.au
Recent Donors
Sonja Blainey Nancy Milne and Graham Fox
Anthony Buckley David M Newby
David Calmyre David and Susie Phillips
Jack Cridland Ian and Beverly Pryer
Elaine L Diamond Quilters Guild of NSW Inc
Robert Hogan John and Lynn Reid
Peter and Divonne Holmes a Jack and Diana Ritch
Court
Jennifer Stuckey-Clarke
Jewellers & Metalsmiths Group
of Australia NSW Inc
Trust Company of Australia
Limited
David Mathlin and Liz Burch
andrew denton at the president's circle luncheon.
photo by marinco kojdanovski.

+ 22 powerline autumn 07
be part of the bridge’s birthday
celebrations at sydney observatory.
 Crowds wait to cross the bridge on 19 March 1932. Photo by sam hood,
observing
our bridge
On 19 March 1932 the long-
awaited opening of the
Sydney Harbour Bridge took
place on the southern side
of the harbour. A crowd of
thousands filled Observatory
Hill Park, clambering over the
remains of the fort wall and
the then operational signal
station to witness the official
proceedings.
Imagine the uproar when
premier Jack Lang was
upstaged by Francis De Groot,
who ‘galloped up to the ribbon
on his charger and hacked it
to the twain’ (The Bulletin, 28
March 1932).
Today, just as in 1932,
Sydney Observatory is a
fabulous place to view
spectacular events on and
around the bridge, making
it the perfect place to be
on Sunday 18 March 2007
when Sydney celebrates
the 75th anniversary of this
Australian icon. As well as
courtesy State Library of NSW.
For more information about the
75th anniversary celebrations go to
www.ourbridge.com.au
several vantage points from
the grounds, the domes and
Russell Room balcony, you can
enjoy live music, telescope
viewings and screenings
of the short film Observing
Sydney in 3-D. Also on
Observatory Hill, the National
Trust’s S H Ervin Gallery will
offer food stalls, markets and
free entertainment.
As part of the celebrations
Sydney Observatory is also
presenting a small display of
Harbour Bridge memorabilia.
Our bridge, our observatory
will include the program for
the 1932 opening ceremony,
photographs of Observatory
Hill during the opening, a
fragment of ribbon thought
to be from the opening
ceremony and items used in
the bridge’s construction. The
display runs from 18 March to
29 April 2007.
Sydney Observatory is open from 9.00 am
to 6.00 pm on 18 March 2007. Entry is free,
but bring your members card for access
to a special viewing area for members and
their guests.
Toner Stevenson, Manager,
Sydney Observatory
Andy Griffiths. Photo courtesy
pan macmillan.
 australian national university
kids in space
Sydney Observatory is always
a fantastic place for kids, with
out-of-this world activities for
all ages. Make sure you put
these special events in your
calendar.
• Saturn viewing nights:
telescope viewings just for
kids (weather permitting)
and a 3-D Space Theatre
presentation. 6–22 April, from
6.15 pm. Bookings essential,
normal night prices apply.
• Saturn Party Day: fun and
exploration especially for
under 8s. Tuesday 17 April,
10.30 am – 2.00 pm. Cost:
$12 child, $10 member child,
accompanying adult free, all
other adults $7.
+
observe
• Launch into orbit with
Andy Griffiths: experience
space as never before when
the best-selling author of
Zombie Bums from Uranus,
Bumaggeddon and Rubbish
Bins in Space talks about his
latest creation. Part of Sydney
Writers’ Festival, the night
includes a telescope viewing
(weather permitting). Tuesday
29 May, 6.00–8.00 pm. Cost:
$18 children/accompanying
adults, $15 Powerhouse and
SWF members. Bookings and
prepayment essential on tel
(02) 9217 0485 or 9241 3767,
email observatory@phm.gov.
au Book early as number are
limited!
+ 23 powerline autumn 07
The powerhouse museum gratefully acknowledges
the support of the following organisations
+principal partners
DICK SMITH
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: Dynasties, Dick Smith Australian Explorer Bell THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: Dynasties, Coles Theatre, Target Theatre, the great wall of china:
Dragons and warriors 206B Jetranger III helicopter dragons and warriors Grace Bros Courtyard, K Mart Dynasties, dragons and warriors
studios
+senior partners
EcoLogic: creating a sustainable THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: dynasties, powerhouse wizard museum mascots: zoe and cogs THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: Dynasties,
future dragons and warriors Dragons and warriors
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: Dynasties,
Dragons and warriors
smart works: design and the
handmade
experimentations
science education program
the powerhouse discovery centre:
collection stories at castle hill
smart works: design and the
handmade
+partners +supporters
city of sydney national geographic channel electrolux pacific magazines
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: dynasties, sydney design 06 THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA: dynasties, electrolux global design
dragons and warriors
engineers australia, sydney division
dragons and warriors laboratory
the raci inc. nsw branch
engineering excellence 2006 rural press science education program
regional programs Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
Official Sydney Hotel
d factory home beautiful trust co of australia
Sydney design 06 SoundHouse™ Music Alliance
Sydney Design 06
SoundHouse™ music & multimedia
laboratory
creative new zealand Mincom Limited
smart works: design and the LIFE FELLOWS DINNER 2007
handmade
+platinum corporate members +gold corporate members +silver corporate members
Amp corporate culture standards australia/australian Dunlop Flooring Australia PDc Creative
design awards
boeing australia halkeas printing MACQUARIE BANK FOUNDATION TAFE NSW: SYDNEY INSTITUTE
streetvision
GE jcdecaux nsw department of lands THOMSON TELECOM AUSTRALIA
transgrid
railcorp multiplex
renaissance tours sinclair knight merz
sibelius australia
thomson playford lawyers
+ state government partners +australian government partners +foundations
the powerhouse museum is australia council for the arts james n kirby foundation
a statutory authority of,
australian research council
and principally funded by,
the state government.
environmental trust
for more information on sponsorship opportunities and giving to the powerhouse museum please contact miranda purnell on (02) 9217 0577.

exhibitions at a glance
march_april_may 2007
Smart works: design and the
handmade
LEVEL 4, 30 MARCH – 19 AUGUST
What does the term ‘handmade’
mean to you? Smart works displays
the inspirational work of over 40
Australian and New Zealand designers
and makers. It explores what ‘the
handmade’ means to each of these
individuals in relation to contemporary
design and manufacture. Includes
furniture, lighting, metalwork, jewellery,
ceramics, glass, textiles and fashion.
Other histories: Guan Wei’s fable for a
contemporary world
Level 5, until 22 april
An exhibition of mural paintings
created by the acclaimed Chinese-
Australian artist Guan Wei for the
Museum’s Asian Gallery. Guan Wei’s
fable is inspired by the epic voyages
of Zheng He, the 15th-century Chinese
navigator, and artefacts from the
Museum’s collection.
Special FX: secrets behind the screen
LEVEL 2, 21 MAY – 14 october
Special FX shows how the unreal can
look so real by exploring the science
and technology used in movies and
television. Visitors can star in their
own ‘mini-movie’, with adventures that
include climbing an ice mountain
and negotiating a bridge of lava, and
record their heroic feats on video or
DVD to take home.
Australian Design Awards
Level 4
The Powerhouse selection from the
Australian Design Awards features
outstanding achievements in design.
Inspired! Design across time
Level 4
Featuring fashion, furniture, textiles,
glass, graphics, ceramics and
metalwork. Inspired! surveys 300
years of decorative arts and design.
Discover the power of objects and
the pleasure of people who use and
treasure them.
Engineering excellence: sea cliff bridge. photo courtesy NSW Roads and
traffic authority. smart works: marc harrison, husque gobble bowls,
2006. photo by floriAN GROEHN. OTHER HISTORIES: DETAIL OF ‘TREASURE HUNT’
MURAl by guan wei, 2006. photo by jean-francois lanzarone.
exhibitions at
Sydney Observatory
By the light of the southern stars
Look behind the Southern Cross, hear
Aboriginal stories about the sky and
see instruments from Australia’s first
major observatory.
Our bridge, our observatory
18 March – 29 April 2007
A small display of Sydney Harbour
Bridge memorabilia to mark the 75th
anniversary of this Australian icon.
+
Give a gift membership
www.powerhousemuseum.com
Our new home / Meie uus Kodu:
Estonian-Australian stories
Level 3
A new exhibition in the Australian
Communities Gallery focusing on the
Estonian community that settled in and
around the Thirlmere district of NSW.
Engineering Excellence
Level 4
Outstanding engineering projects
from the Engineers Australia (Sydney
Division) Engineering Excellence
awards.
Strasburg Clock
Level 4
Following a long period of preservation
work the treasured ‘Strasburg’ model,
based on Strasbourg Cathedral’s
famous astronomical clock, returns
to a new location next to the new
decorative arts and design gallery,
Inspired! Design across time.
Further, faster, higher: a sound and
light experience
LEVEL 2
Imagine Loco 1243 roaring past you
in the Museum’s Transport gallery. Or
the Catalina caught in a storm above
your head. This light and sound show
will bring to life the story of transport
in Australia.
Student Fashion
LEVEL 3, until 3 June
A glimpse of the next generation of
Australian fashion designers, featuring
outfits by the top-graduating students
from three Sydney-based fashion
schools.
DesignTech
LEVEL 3, until 4 march
DesignTech showcases outstanding
major design projects by 2006 Higher
School Certificate students of Design
and Technology. This annual exhibition
features furniture, fashion, graphic
design, architecture and industrial
design.
travelling exhibitions
The Great Wall of China: dynasties,
dragons and warriors
Melbourne Museum
23 March – 22 July 2007
Works wonders: stories about home
remedies
Orange City Library
10 january – 28 March 2007
Port Macquarie Library
4 April – 19 June 2007
Bush regeneration
Geocentre, Broken Hill
from June 2007
TURN OVER FOR DETAILS
Powerhouse Membership
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** A household is up to two adults and all students under 18 years at the same address. Country
households must be more than 150 km from Sydney GPO. Concession applies to full-time students,
seniors, pensioners, unemployed and all adults in the household must be eligible for concession.
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PO Box K346, Haymarket, NSW 1238 or phone the Members hotline on 9217 0600.
Please phone the Members Hotline for information about other gift membership
categories or visit: www.powerhousemuseum.com/members
from the
collection
Inspired by a $100 bet, Brian
Sheehy set about building a
matchstick model of Sydney’s
most famous bridge. Six
months later, he won the bet.
It had taken him 420 hours of
meticulous work — and 9734
matchsticks and split paddle-
pop sticks — to craft this mini-
bridge measuring almost a
metre in length.
The Museum purchased the
model when it was completed
in 1985. Together with an array
of Harbour Bridge models and
souvenirs in the collection, it
is testament to Sydneysiders’
enduring love affair with
‘our bridge’. This year marks
the 75th anniversary of the
Harbour Bridge and one of
the best places to join in the
celebrations will be Sydney
Observatory, which will be
celebrating with an open
day on Sunday 18 March and
a small display of bridge
memorabilia (see story page 22).
www.powerhousemuseum.com